Betty Lou Thoreson

   Betty Lou Thoreson, age 86, of Mayville, North Dakota, passed away on December 22, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona.      Betty Lou was born on April 2, 1931 to George and Magnil Jorgenson on a farm near Leeds, ND.  She graduated from Leeds High School in 1949.  She enrolled in Concordia College, Moorhead, MN in the fall of 1949.  She transferred to North Dakota State University and graduated in 1954, majoring in home economics with an emphasis on foods and nutrition and a minor in clothing.  Her first job was teaching home economics in Larimore, ND.  While at NDSU, her cooking skills caught the attention of Peter Thoreson Jr and they were married on July 7, 1956 at North Prairie Lutheran Church, Leeds, ND.      After marriage, she became Foods Supervisor at Mayville State College until moving to the Thoreson farm in 1959.  Later she worked as a dietician for the Good Samaritan Society nursing homes in Aneta and in Arthur, ND and for the Luther Memorial Home and Hospital, both in Mayville.  In addition to her work as a dietician, she taught home extension classes and home economics at the high school in Mayville.  Above all, she was the consummate farm homemaker:  cooking, cleaning, sewing, canning, freezing, and in every way taking care of her family.      She always loved to sew and in later years, became an avid quilter.  She made many, many quilts, wall hangings, table runners, purses and other items which she often gave to family and friends.  She was active in Mayville Lutheran Church and served for 25 years as a 4-H leader      Betty Lou is survived by her husband Peter Thoreson Jr; children Jon (Gail) Thoreson of Lafayette, MN, Steven (Janice) Thoreson of Buxton, ND and Mary (Terry Nielsen) Thoreson of Bemidji, MN; 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sister Inez (Keith) Jacobson of Rochester, MN and sister in law, Delores Erickson of Portland, ND, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.      In addition to her parents, Betty Lou was preceded in death by her brother Richard and sisters Ardis and Ione.   Visitation:  Will be 5–7 PM on Monday, April 2, 2018 at the Baker Funeral Home in Mayville, ND and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the Mayville Lutheran Church in Mayville, ND. Burial: Will be in the North Prairie Cemetery in Buxton, ND.